Don’t Let Distracted Driving Kill You: Drive Safe

Driving is a very safe mode of transportation – assuming that you and the other drivers on the road drive safe. The problem is that we are in such a rush to communicate, at every opportunity and second of the day that we often communicate while we’re driving.
Driving requires total (or at least 99%) concentration on the road, in particular ensuring your EYES are always on the road.
You think you can brake fast? I’m sure you can. But if you’re putting on makeup, texting or reading – you’re often distracted for too long to break in time. If you need to communicate in the car, setup your technology so that you can do it by having your eyes on the road!

Mobile accessory maker Jabra released some information on a study they conducted, which hopefully will prove sobering for you:
The most common harrowing activities while driving include texting, eating, changing clothes, operating GPS systems, yelling at other drivers, and even performing sexual acts while driving. To compound issues, only a small percentage (32%) of the survey respondents reported they’re using a hands-free device, which is the law in many regions.
For commuters, some activities may seem time-saving, with 35 percent admitting that they have taken clothes off or put clothes on while the car is in motion and another 23% admitting to often styling their hair, but ultimately these acts are perilous, resulting in humiliating or more serious injuries.

The majority of respondents (72%) also admitted to eating food while driving, which might seem convenient with fast food and drive-throughs, but for others’ safety it is important to keep both hands on the wheel, not the meal.
“It is truly unbelievable what people are doing while driving. The results of our survey show that so many people are distracted and doing other things while on the road – even though they know the consequences that can occur,” said Jonas Forsberg, General Manager North America, Mobile Division, GN Netcom, Inc. ”We are dedicated to increasing our efforts to encourage people to focus on the road and to use a hands-free headset or speakerphone if they want to talk or text while driving. We hope that people will soon understand the implications of these bad behaviors and will change their own behavior accordingly.”
Further survey findings include:

29% of respondents admitted to having kissed others while driving, whereas a smaller, but surprising number (15%) said they have performed sex or other sexual acts while driving

28% confirmed they have sent text messages while driving

13% reported they have applied makeup while driving

12% admitted to having written or read emails while driving

10% reported reading newspapers or magazines while driving

5% confessed to having played video games, and another 5% say that they have shaved while behind the wheel

Road rage in general appears to be a global issue, with 63 percent reporting that they yell at other motorists while driving – and the French appear to be the biggest offenders. Young people (age 18-35) from all countries also appear to be engaging in bad driving behaviors with higher frequency, but at the same time don’t feel that these activities are as dangerous as perceived by those who are older. Across the board, the Japanese are the worst offenders when it comes to personal grooming while driving and electronic distractions like video games, movies, audio books, and music devices. Alternatively, the British appear to be more safety oriented with the highest level of awareness around highly dangerous driving behaviors.